It is my special pleasure to jointly celebrate tonight November 28th, the Independence and Flag Day, the greatest historical event of the Albanian state and nation. Every anniversary holds its own significance, but tonight we are joining the one hundredth year of the Albanian state – a jubilee year carrying its special meaning
Tirana, November 28th, 2011 NOA/R.Bulku -
Distinguished Madam Speaker,
Distinguished Mr. Prime Minister,
Distinguished members of the government,
Honorable members of the Assembly,
Excellencies Ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic core, Dear compatriots,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When our founding fathers placed one century ago the foundations of the youngest state in Europe, there was no dilemma that their vision was for a free, integrated, democratic and European society and state. They could not predict the future filled of difficult times and joyous day under which the Albanians lived for a century, but they knew and were able to forecast the strength, energy, willpower and capability of the Albanians to survive them with pride, dignity and high national feeling.
A huge number of thinkers and patriots were united around the idea of an independent and European Albanian state. They founded the very first state institutions, drafted the Constitution and the original laws, implemented for the first time the political pluralism and held the first parliamentary elections. Such titanic efforts were embodied as well in the positive achievements regarding the modernizing of the Albanian state and society during the period of the first Albanian republic and monarchy.
Our tragic and unfortunate history during the two world wars and under the totalitarian regime did not pale, but aggrandized even more the values, vision and high civil aspirations of the independence and state embodiment generations, that worked and sacrificed for Albania. Many of them suffered tragic fates, the elites of more than two generations were forced to emigrate and many others paid with their lives their democratic vision about Albania – but above all, they, through their deeds and sacrifices hold an eternal place in our national memory. Let us honor and remember them tonight with our deepest gratitude and highest respect!
Distinguished guests!
Albania has been blessed by God, the Almighty. It holds an admirable geographical position. It counts a young population filled with great energies. It contains economic and touristic potentials and cultural tradition accompanied by strong historical ties to the European patrimony. It cherishes clear aspirations regarding its progress at any time, characterized by a peaceful and cooperative behavior towards all its regional neighbors. The fatherland of George Kastrioti Scanderbeg and Mother Theresa could not have any other destination besides its full reunion with Europe and its civilization. Twenty years ago the European dream was just an aspiration – today it is a reality. Albania is already a NATO member. It is a country which enjoys the highest popular support for the integrating aspirations into the European Union and at the mean time, a serious partner of the international community in its efforts to spread democracy and peace in various regions of the world.
Referring to the political actuality, we marked progress throughout this year, especially regarding the increase of the civil and citizens’ commitment and participation in the electoral process and public debates. Along them we wasted endless energies in an unproductive political debate by unjustly placing political parties’ agendas above the public and national agendas. During recent days and weeks, politics has returned once again into institutions and dialogue table. My hope and encouragement, the same as that of the majority of this country’s citizens is that reason and responsibility will dominate any political interest, in order to give the Albanian state and society without any delay and with the right quality, the necessary reforms, climate and results ensuring the European Union integration standards.
Today we set of the celebrations of the one hundredth anniversary of Independence, and this presents a good opportunity for each of us to make a balance sheet, to learn from the mistakes of the past and gain the right clarity to move forward with a quicker pace. Of course, the centenary will receive tour full attention, honoring and engagement in order to be marked by the grandiosity it deserves. Such anniversaries can be accompanied by numerous political and civil projects or even by historical re-assessments.
I believe that the greatest honor that we can bestow upon our Albanian state in its 100th anniversary is to work with all our energies in order to improve the state model and bring it to the level for which the founders of more than five generations were sacrificed during the past century.
There is no greatest honor than in the century’s anniversary, Albania to receive the invitation of European Union accession, rather than to materialize and strengthen the functional democracy and Rule of Law, than to consolidate the fundamental colons of state: the independent constitutional institutions, the functional judicial system, the good governance model, fair and transparent and the social mission of the state. I am convinced that we posses the strength and the power and all the means to achieve this objective – as our responsibility in front of the major interests of the country but also a debt being paid by politics to our citizens.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Many of our historical achievements could not have been such without the extraordinary help and assistance given by the friendly countries and international organizations. During the first days of the young state, during the period of the foundation of the first institutions, during the liberation fight or even in our first movements for democracy and integration we have been met by the full support of the United States of America and other friendly countries of the European Union. On behalf of the Albanian state and citizens, I seize this occasion to publicly thank them and at the same time, to re-iterate the Albania’s determination to fulfill and meet at any time the commitments taken internationally and to remain a partner country by giving a somehow contribution in our joint challenges.
On this occasion, on this November 28th I would also like and wholeheartedly greet on Independence and Flag Day all the Albanians, wherever they are in Albania, Kosova, Macedonia and everywhere else in Europe, United States and all over the world. I would like especially to convey the special greetings and wishes to our military personnel serving in various regions of the world in peacekeeping missions.
By strongly believing in a better future for Albania and Albanians, in our strength and energies towards the full European integration, in the vitality and responsibility to work every day for the prosperity, well being and democratic independence of the individuals, family and society, in the vision and dedication to strengthen the climate of regional friendship, cooperation and stability, I reserve the pleasure to address all of you, present here tonight and through you, to all the Albanians wherever they are:
Happy National Day!
Happy Independence and Flag Day!
Honor to the Liberation Day!
May God bless and enlightened the path of Albania and of the Albanians!
